Parquet Flooring Testing

Parquet flooring testing mainly conducts scientific testing and analysis on dimensional stability testing, surface abrasion resistance testing, lock strength testing, formaldehyde emission testing, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity testing and light fastness testing, objectively assessing the product quality grade and issuing a detailed test report, providing a basis for manufacturers' quality control and downstream users' product acceptance.

Testing Items

Dimensional stability testing: Evaluates the dimensional change rate of parquet flooring under temperature and humidity changes. Usually, the specimen is placed in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at a specific temperature and humidity for treatment, and the changes in its length and width before and after the pretreatment are measured, expressed as a percentage. This test is crucial for evaluating whether excessive gaps or warping will occur after the flooring is installed.

Surface abrasion resistance testing: Tests the abrasion resistance of the floor surface decorative layer through the revolutions method or the Taber abrasion testing machine. During the test, standard grinding wheels are used to rub the floor surface under a specific pressure, recording the number of revolutions required to wear through the decorative layer or the abrasion amount after a certain number of revolutions, which is directly related to the service life and durability of the floor.

Lock strength testing: For click-lock parquet flooring, evaluates the bonding strength between the tongue and groove. A universal material testing machine is usually used to apply a vertical tensile force or a lateral shear force to the connected lock samples until the lock separates, recording the maximum failure force value, to judge the firmness of installation and deformation resistance.

Formaldehyde emission testing: Determines the formaldehyde release concentration per unit area or unit volume of the floor in accordance with the chamber method or the desiccator method. The sample is placed in the specified test environment, and the released formaldehyde is collected and analyzed, with the result expressed in milligrams per cubic meter or milligrams per liter. It is a core environmental indicator for ensuring indoor air quality safety.

Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity testing: Measures the mechanical properties of the floor under bending loads. The two ends of the floor specimen are supported, and a concentrated load is applied at the midpoint of the span, recording the maximum load at failure (modulus of rupture) and the slope of the linear stage of the load-deformation curve (modulus of elasticity), reflecting the load-bearing capacity and anti-deformation stiffness of the floor.

Light fastness testing: Evaluates the anti-fading ability of the floor surface color under light. The specimen is exposed together with blue wool standards in a xenon arc aging test chamber, and the grade is determined by comparing the color change level of the specimen and the standard before and after exposure. It is of great significance for evaluating the color durability of the floor in strong light areas such as near windows.

Stain resistance and corrosion resistance testing: Tests the resistance of the floor surface to common household chemical substances (such as vinegar, coffee, shoe polish and cleaning agents). The specified reagent is dropped on the floor surface and covered, and after the specified time it is wiped clean, observing whether there are defects such as discoloration, crazing and blistering on the surface, ensuring that the floor is easy to clean and maintain.

Testing Scope

Laminated composite flooring: Usually made of high density fiberboard substrate, decorative paper and a wear layer by high temperature and high pressure. Its testing focus is on the physical and mechanical properties of the substrate, formaldehyde emission, surface abrasion resistance revolutions, and the strength and durability of the locking system, ensuring its stability and safety in long-term use.

Engineered wood flooring: Including three-layer and multi-layer engineered wood flooring, with the surface layer being solid wood veneer or thin wood. Testing needs to focus on the material and thickness of the surface board, the bonding strength of each layer, dimensional stability, the hardness and adhesion of the surface paint coating, and the overall environmental indicators.

SPC/WPC stone plastic flooring: A rigid sheet flooring mainly made of calcium carbonate powder and polyvinyl chloride. The testing scope covers its unique properties, such as water resistance, fire resistance grade (oxygen index), impact resistance, dimensional thermal stability (dimensional change rate at high temperature) and the limits of hazardous substances such as heavy metals.

Cork flooring: Made from the bark of the cork oak. Its testing items have particularities, including the density of cork particles, compression resilience, sound insulation performance, anti-static performance and the abrasion resistance and stain resistance of the surface coating, to verify its comfortable foot feel and excellent acoustic characteristics.

Commercial and household grade flooring: Divided according to the passenger flow and intensity of the place of use. The testing standards for commercial grade flooring (such as AC4/AC5 grades) are stricter, especially the indicator requirements for items such as abrasion resistance revolutions, impact resistance, cigarette burn resistance and chair caster tests, which are far higher than household grade (AC1/AC2/AC3 grades).

Parquet flooring for floor heating: Specially used for flooring above radiant heating systems. In addition to conventional items, thermal stability tests must be added, such as the coefficient of dimensional thermal expansion, heat crack resistance, and appearance and dimensional change tests after repeated hot and cold cycling, ensuring stable performance under periodic temperature changes.

Testing Methods

Chamber method (EN 717-1, GB/T 17657): The reference method for formaldehyde emission testing. A floor sample of a specified area is placed in a climate chamber with constant temperature, humidity and air exchange rate. After the formaldehyde concentration in the chamber air reaches equilibrium, sampling and analysis are carried out. The results are accurate and reliable, and are often used for arbitration and certification testing.

Desiccator method (JIS A 1460, GB/T 17657): A common rapid method for formaldehyde emission testing. The specimen is placed in a desiccator with an absorption dish placed below. In a sealed environment, the formaldehyde is released and absorbed by the absorption solution, and the formaldehyde content in the absorption solution is determined after a specified time. This method is simple to operate and short in time.

Revolutions method (EN 13329, GB/T 18102): The mainstream method for evaluating the surface abrasion resistance of laminated flooring. A dedicated abrasion testing machine is used, in which a grinding wheel with sandpaper performs rotary friction on the floor surface under fixed pressure, recording the number of revolutions when the decorative paper is worn through (exposing the substrate), i.e., the abrasion resistance revolutions.

Taber abrasion method (ASTM D4060): Another general abrasion resistance test method, especially suitable for flooring such as SPC and LVT. A Taber abrasion testing machine is used to rub the sample surface with standard abrasion wheels under a specific load, and the abrasion resistance is evaluated by the mass loss (milligrams) of the sample after a certain number of revolutions.

Three-point bending method (EN 310, GB/T 17657): A standard method for determining the modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. A rectangular specimen is placed on two support rollers, and a load is applied at a constant rate through a loading roller at the midpoint of the span until the specimen fractures. The load and deflection data are recorded through sensors and the results are calculated.

Lock strength test method (EN 14085, GB/T 24508): Including two tests of vertical pull-out strength and lateral shear strength. A universal testing machine is used, the two ends of the connected lock specimen are respectively clamped and fixed, and a tensile force is applied in the direction vertical or parallel to the joint, recording the maximum force when the lock separates.

Testing Standards

Domestic Standards:

1. GB/T 17657-2022, Test methods of evaluating the properties of wood-based panels and surface decorated wood-based panels

2. GB/T 18102-2020, Laminated floor covering

3. GB 18580-2025, Indoor decorating and refurbishing materials — Limit of formaldehyde emission of wood-based panels and finishing products

4. GB/T 1931-2009, Method for determination of moisture content of wood

5. GB/T 1936.1-2009, Method of testing in bending strength of wood

International Standards:

1. ISO 12460-1, Determination of formaldehyde emission of wood-based panels — Part 1: 1 m³ chamber method

Note: The applicable standard can be selected according to the product use and customer trade requirements; standards agreed in the contract take precedence over general standards.

Testing Instruments and Equipment

Universal material testing machine: The core equipment for mechanical property tests such as lock strength, modulus of rupture and peel strength. Through a precision servo control system and force and displacement sensors, loads can be precisely applied and controlled, and the load-deformation curve recorded in real time, providing accurate failure force values and modulus data.

Abrasion testing machine (revolutions method / Taber type): Specially used to evaluate the surface abrasion resistance of flooring. The revolutions method abrasion machine drives a grinding head to rotate and rub through a motor; the Taber abrasion machine rubs through a pair of abrasion wheels on a rotating sample. Both can simulate the wear loss of the floor surface caused by long-term foot friction.

Constant temperature and humidity chamber: Used for the pretreatment and testing of items affected by environmental humidity such as dimensional stability and moisture content. It can precisely control the temperature and relative humidity in the chamber and simulate the state of the floor under different climate conditions, and is key equipment for evaluating its environmental adaptability.

Gas chromatograph or spectrophotometer: Terminal analytical equipment for formaldehyde emission testing. For the formaldehyde solution extracted by the desiccator method or the perforation extraction method, the acetylacetone spectrophotometric method is usually used to determine its concentration; for the air samples collected by the chamber method, high-performance liquid chromatography or gas chromatography is commonly used for analysis, with high sensitivity.

Xenon arc aging test chamber: Used for light fastness testing. This equipment can simulate full-spectrum sunlight, and by controlling the light intensity, chamber temperature, humidity and spray cycle, accelerate the aging process of the material, thereby evaluating the durability of the floor color and material under sunlight in a relatively short time.

Stain and chemical resistance test kit: Usually including standard chemical reagents (such as cleaning agents, shoe polish, coffee and red wine), glass dishes, timers and gray scales or color comparison cards for rating. Through standardized operation procedures, the stain resistance of the floor surface is evaluated qualitatively or semi-quantitatively.

Floor heating performance simulation test platform: Comprehensive equipment specially used for testing parquet flooring for floor heating. The platform integrates a heating system with precise temperature control, a temperature sensor array and mechanical testing modules, and can simulate the temperature cycle under actual floor heating conditions and test the changes in dimensions, appearance and mechanical properties of the floor during the process.